Inter’s planning for the next midfield cycle has begun well before any decisive summer discussion, with Cagliari’s Alessandro Romano emerging as a player under close consideration at Appiano. The Swiss-born Italy international, born in 2006, remains a developing figure rather than an immediate answer, but his profile fits the sort of succession thinking that has become unavoidable around Hakan Calhanoglu.
Romano enters Inter’s long-term midfield picture
Romano’s difficult Nations League outing against Kevin De Bruyne has not altered Inter’s positive assessment. The club see substance beneath that harsh examination: a left-footed midfielder with physical presence, considerable room to improve and a strong connection to Italian football.
- Romano is 20 years old and stands 185cm tall, offering the physical dimension Inter have long considered adding to midfield.
- His reports have been encouraging both on his potential within Cristian Chivu’s project and on his conduct away from the pitch.
- Inter have made their interest known to the relevant parties, leaving the player aware that Milan may hold particularly serious admirers.
- The club generally avoids public bidding contests, preferring to identify suitable opportunities early and move with restraint.
Cagliari are due to complete Romano’s permanent signing for €6.5 million and intend to tie him down on a five-year contract. His valuation has already moved beyond €20 million, with further growth expected if his development continues.
Calhanoglu’s condition shapes the next decision
The question is not simply whether Inter like Romano, but whether space opens in a midfield unit that is currently well covered. Calhanoglu remains central to the team’s play, having established a composed and authoritative role at the base of the side. Yet Inter must also consider what comes after him.
His contract expires on 30 June 2027, and there is willingness from all sides to discuss an extension. Physical reliability will determine the timing and the terms, however. The Turkey international suffered six injuries last season and has already had another spell out in the current campaign. Without confidence that he can remain fully available, Inter would be less inclined to offer fresh terms and more likely to accelerate their search for a successor.
That is where Romano’s name becomes relevant. He would represent an investment for the future rather than a reaction made in haste, particularly if Inter decide that their midfield needs greater power as well as technical quality.
Cagliari remain familiar territory for Inter
There is a clear precedent for a major Inter midfield purchase from Sardinia. Nicolò Barella joined from Cagliari in 2019 in a deal that eventually reached €49 million including bonuses, a considerable outlay at the time but one that has since been justified across eight seasons of service.
Inter’s recent experience with another Cagliari prospect also illustrates how quickly internal assessments can change. Marco Palestra did not initially command unanimous attention, despite his earlier Primavera performances. His display at San Siro in Inter-Cagliari shifted the view inside the club, leading Inter to pursue an expensive move that ultimately did not come off.
Romano will therefore continue to be watched closely rather than treated as a completed operation. The connection between Milan and Cagliari has already yielded one defining midfielder for Inter, and Barella may well have offered a word to his new Italy teammate about what such a route can mean.
Stankovic’s uncertain position adds another layer
Inter also have Aleksandar Stankovic in their squad, a player a year older than Romano and with more international experience. The club rejected an offer of €40 million for the son of former Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic, but he has so far been unable to make a meaningful impact in Chivu’s team.
- Stankovic’s future remains unresolved despite Inter’s decision to turn down a major bid.
- His progress will be assessed alongside the club’s continued monitoring of Romano.
- President Beppe Marotta and new sporting director Dario Baccin are laying groundwork now rather than waiting for a midfield vacancy to become urgent.
Italian identity remains an important principle in Inter’s recruitment. Romano, with his Italian roots, national-team involvement and Cagliari pathway, has become part of that longer narrative: a possible piece of the next Inter, while the present still depends heavily on Calhanoglu.
